AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Adhara perked up. “I can help.”
Anthony ran after them. “Oh, I have a tape measure in my bag!”
Once the three were away from the foyer and occupied by the swing, Elias leaned against the doorframe and casually tucked his hands into his pockets. “It’s okay if you’re nervous letting them stay over. Francine and I won’t be bothered if you want to pick up your kids early.”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “Is it that obvious?”
“I used to be a single parent. I know how it can get when you’re alone.”
“I know the whole Bentley situation is handled, but…” I trailed off, trying to avoid eye contact. If Elias was anything like Troy, then he would be able to practically read my mind. They were all intuitive like that. No wonder my kids got along with Archie. “Sorry, I’m still worried about that man stalking me again.”
Elias nodded. “Troy told me about the meeting before he came by with Blake. The security team has everything under control. Everyone in the pack who is capable of defending the pack has a picture and description of Bentley. We even installed a few extra cameras on the streets.”
I peered over his shoulder, noticing the way twilight ebbed around the houses. “Is that so?”
“That’s so,” he replied gently. “Seriously, don’t hesitate to text or call. The same goes for Troy. He’s a light sleeper.”
I chafed my left elbow and then nodded. “Okay, I appreciate that.”
He grinned until his eyes closed, then turned to boom, “Let’s get this train moving from the station, soldiers!”
Three children fluttered into the room and wrapped me in a hug. I kissed each of them, Archie included, and watched from the door as they skipped off with Elias. For once, things felt normal. Things felt like they would be okay.
I just wished that feeling would last beyond this moment.
***
I woke up with a start—and a loud snort.
When I wiped my mouth, warm drool smeared over my lips, making me cringe as I ran off to the hall bathroom. Sleep must have taken me once the twins were gone. It never occurred to me just how much energy children took until they weren’t around. For someone like Francine, I couldn’t even imagine what her evenings looked like.
Though with somebody like Elias around—someone strong, patient, kind, and understanding—she probably got plenty of rest. Jealousy clutched my heart as I bent over the sink and splashed some warm water on my face. Comfort came swiftly until the water cooled and my skin got cold.
More water would help. That was the ticket. Maybe a hot bath would be in order along with one of my favorite toys.
Just the thought of some playtime brought with it the scent of vetiver and amber. Gods, how long had it been since I’d actually had sex with another person? Since Slater?
Four distinct knocks interrupted my thinking session. I glanced at the hallway, staring for so long that it invited another round of knocks, making me realize that it wasn’t just my mind playing tricks on me. My heart raced as I shut the faucet off slowly. I lifted a towel from the rack, dabbed my face dry, and quietly stepped around the creaky floorboards in the hallway to get to the front door.
I checked the peephole first. Nothing. The window came next, along with the floodlight I had installed for such evenings. No one was on the porch, and I couldn’t hear anything over the roar of crickets.
Son of a bitch, I was losing my mind. Vetiver stole my senses, amber smacked me in the back of my nostrils, and then I was trotting briskly to the back door where I unlatched it and flung it open. Slater stood in the corner of the porch near the hammock with a phone lighting up his dumb face.
He pointed to the house. “I knocked. A few times, actually.”
“I heard.”
“And you didn’t answer?”
I searched the yard for shadows. Nothing in particular stood out. I couldn’t hear anything out of the ordinary other than my heart slamming against my ribcage.
I shut the kitchen door behind me as I stepped out onto the porch. “I have a rule about answering the door after a certain hour.”
“Because of Bentley.”
Sure, that’s one of many reasons.I nodded as I played with my hair. “Yeah, well, you know.”
“Can’t be too careful.”
